Special Treats in the Mail: Birds Eye Steamfresh Chef's Favorites

In this present age of text messages and emails, there is something exciting in receiving letters, greeting cards or packages in the mail. It's like a special treat that rarely happens anymore and it always puts a smile on my face! I always look forward to seeing plain letters or greeting cards from relatives and friends in the mailbox, and packages waiting by our front door. Sad because it only happens once in a blue moon. But since I joined Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I've found a reason to get excited with every delivery and doorbell ring from the USPS, UPS or FedEx guy. 

It's always nice to receive a letter with product coupons or a box of goodies as part of Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program. Though I am not sure if the product is good or not, I find it exciting! Just like last Wednesday when I was on the phone and the doorbell rang. I wasn't actually expecting anything, so seeing a box by the door surprised me. I was so curious to open it...and here's what I found:

Though I am not a big fan of frozen food, I've always loved frozen BIRDS EYE Classic Mixed Vegetables for it's good quality, and while I was checking these 4 new BIRDS EYE Steamfresh Chef’s Favorites that aren't in stores yet until September, I was thinking that I'm so lucky to be enjoying an exclusive free trial of these new products. I received Lightly Sauced Creamed Spinach, Primavera Vegetable Risotto, Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans, and Mushroom & Green Bean Risotto!


And last Thursday night, I decided to try the Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans. Oh my, lucky I really am! I didn't expect it to be that good! One thing I hate with most frozen ready to eat vegetables is that they are lacking the crisp factor. But this isn't the case with Birds Eye Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans. The green beans have the crisp I want. I also like the taste of the Parmesan Olive Oil Sauce. It was too much for me so I shared it with Ryan, and he liked it too!

We ate it as side dish for grilled bratwurst with caramelized onion. I cooked it according to package directions which is as simple as popping the bag into the microwave for five minutes and then pouring it out on a plate. But check it out! It looks fab, right?!

Since it was frozen and from a bag, I had the impression that I won't like it. But I was wrong! I actually liked it! I must say it's delicious - and this is coming from someone who does not like frozen ready to eat food. Lightly sauced as it is, the fresh taste of both the potatoes and green beans were still there! I needed to add a little salt to suit my taste, but overall, the texture & taste was good! Ryan agreed with me on that.

Then last night, I tried the Primavera Vegetable Risotto....



I microwaved the bag, opened it and poured the contents on a plate then topped with grilled shrimps (which I marinated in lemon, olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt and a little pepper). Voila! Easy dinner in minutes. 

Just like the Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans, the Primavera Vegetable Risotto was unexpectedly good! It has the consistency I want and it's tasty. The rice is not hard on the inside, neither is it mushy on the outside. It may not meet the criteria of a perfect risotto as set by Chef Ramsay, but for me, this is good enough considering that I don't have to undergo the actual risotto cooking process. It's such a quick and easy way to enjoy risotto in less than 5 minutes!

I haven't tried the other two products, and being a big fan of spinach and mushrooms, I am looking forward to it! Having experience the goodness of the Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans and the Primavera Vegetable Risotto, I'm pretty sure that I will like the Sauced Creamed Spinach and Mushroom & Green Bean Risotto too!

I can't wait for these products to hit the stores this September! I am definitely buying them for I know they will come handy during days that I'm too lazy to cook. Homemade is still the best for me...but quick, delicious, and easy dinner alternatives like these products from BIRDS EYE are always welcome in my kitchen! 

Disclosure: I was offered a complimentary Birds Eye Steamfresh Chef Favorites through the Foodbuzz Tastemakers Program. All product opinions expressed are my own.